Some time ago a man who apparently did not understand the danger of what he did, picked up a small octopus by the sea shore, as a joke. It happened to be a variety which injects a strong nerve poison into its attacker. The man struggled - but came out the loser. He died soon after the needless encounter.

An octopus has other ways of injuring men. It has eight strong arms, each fitted with a "suction" cup at the end of each tentacle. It can cling and writhe and pull and bring dismay to the heart of the battler trying to get away from its tentacles.

How sad it is when men insist on "playing" with sin! Sin, like the writhing octopus, injects its poison into man - and his end is death. "Each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death" (Jam. 1:14-15).

Snakes and octopuses, in nature, picture sin and its deadly poison. When one is bitten and poisoned, all is not yet lost. There is the mighty Savior who can redeem us if we will look to Him for help. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:14-16). Jesus later said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mk. 16:16). Do you believe and love Jesus enough to do what He says (Jn. 14:15)?

Have a great weekend!

Tom